Ottobock’s Technical Service Team showcases Paralympics Games
services

20 April 2012

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Ottobock Healthcare
has kicked off its final phase of preparations for its role as
Official Prosthetic, Orthotic and Wheelchair Technical Service
Provider for the London 2012 Paralympic Games by providing technical
support to the first of five test events, starting with Wheelchair
Rugby.

Ottobock is responsible for repairing wheelchair damage that
characterises this hard-hitting sport.

Technical service
was provided from an in-venue workshop for the four teams
competing. A mobile unit that has been specially fitted out for the
London 2012 Paralympic Games was in place from
18-19 April including equipment and tools for welding, wheel
repairs and tyre replacements.

For the London 2012
Paralympic Games Ottobock will operate a 6500 square foot workshop
in the Athletes’ Village with smaller repair centres at the Weymouth
and Portland Sailing Village and at Egham Rowing and Canoe Sprint
Village as well as nine competition venues. These facilities will be
fully equipped with the machinery and parts to solve any problems
athletes have with their running blades or wheelchairs, as well as
any other equipment they use to compete.

Like the services
provided by mechanics in motor-racing, Ottobock is responsible for
the repair and maintenance of equipment used by Paralympians and
getting athletes back into the competition as fast as possible.

Ottobock has been a partner to the Paralympic Games providing
technical service since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games, and has
completed approximately 10,000 repairs for athletes during
Paralympic Games since then. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games,
Ottobock will support all 4,200 competing athletes with a team of 80
wheelchair technicians, prosthetists and orthotists, including 12
team members specifically dedicated to welding.

Russell Pizzey is one of two British welders forming part of the
12-strong specialists in the Ottobock Technical Service Team at the
London 2012 Paralympic Games.

“High impact sports such as
wheelchair rugby keep us very busy, and we are prepared for a lot of
welding and quick tyre changes at the London 2012 Paralympic Games,”
said Russell Pizzey, part of the Ottobock Technical Service Team.
‘The test events provide an important opportunity for our teams to
familiarise themselves with the environment and venues where they
will operate during the London 2012 Paralympic Games. We will also
be providing technical service for the Boccia, Paralympic Archery,
Wheelchair Tennis and Paralympic Athletics test events.’

He
will be joined by volunteer Phillip Calthorpe, from Colchester.
Phillip will bring Tungsten Inert Gas (T.I.G) welding experience to
the team and will be responsible for repairs such as fixing damaged
aluminium tubing of basketball wheelchairs. Mark Woolsey, a
Prosthetist from Burton is also volunteering. Mark worked for
Ottobock at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and brings a wealth of
professional experience to the team. Currently working as a
prosthetist at Dorset Orthopaedic, he will be responsible for
prosthetic, orthotic and wheelchair repairs throughout the Games. A
Thai and Malay speaker, he will also add to the many languages
offered by the Ottobock Technical Service Team.

The 80
strong Ottobock Technical Service Team for the London 2012
Paralympic Games will comprise prosthetists, orthotists and
wheelchair technicians from all over the world including 16 from
Great Britain.